If you only have had your camera for a year, Canon will do it for free. My 1Ds Mark III just went in 2 weeks ago, still for free, for a sensor cleaning. Doing it yourself with a puffer usually doesn't work very well.

I recently had my 5D2 serviced by Canon. They cleaned the sensor, the focusing screen (I didn't even ask) and installed the latest firmware in just an hour for less than $35, so $120 for a week seems excessive. Who knows, perhaps they're shipping it to Canon to have it done! I don't know what it costs to have it shipped, as I work just a few miles from their Jamesburg, NJ facility.

If you only have had your camera for a year, Canon will do it for free. My 1Ds Mark III just went in 2 weeks ago, still for free, for a sensor cleaning. Doing it yourself with a puffer usually doesn't work very well.

I am sending mine in to have the light leak issue fixed on my 5D3 - it is only four months old - are you saying I could ask for a free sensor cleaning too?

Basically, in order: blower, then sensor brush, then sensor stamp, then sensor pen. All of these things are available on Amazon, and unless you go for the cadillac brush they show in the video, it's pretty inexpensive. I just use the brush on the end of the sensor pen. No fluids or other stuff to mess around with. I was able to totally clean a very messy sensor (including some oil residue) using this method.

If you only have had your camera for a year, Canon will do it for free. My 1Ds Mark III just went in 2 weeks ago, still for free, for a sensor cleaning. Doing it yourself with a puffer usually doesn't work very well.

I am sending mine in to have the light leak issue fixed on my 5D3 - it is only four months old - are you saying I could ask for a free sensor cleaning too?

The first time I took my 5D2 in for a cleaning, it was still under warranty and they did it for free. Just note that they might only do it for free the first time.

I'd call Canon to see what they'll say if they do it for free it might worth the shipping.When I called them a few weeks ago, they told me if it's out of warranty: $50 to $100 for the cleaning + shipping and insurance (another $30-$40) plus 7-10 business days.

If you only have had your camera for a year, Canon will do it for free. My 1Ds Mark III just went in 2 weeks ago, still for free, for a sensor cleaning. Doing it yourself with a puffer usually doesn't work very well.

I am sending mine in to have the light leak issue fixed on my 5D3 - it is only four months old - are you saying I could ask for a free sensor cleaning too?

If it's still under warranty yes, the sensor cleaning should be free. Do ask.

I bought the sensor cleaning swabs, tools, etc. I have several DSLR's so the cost was spread over them. However, I am nor CPS gold, so I get some free cleanings each year.Microtools has cleaning supplies and instructions. It takes 4 or 5 swabs to do a good cleaning job, and they are not cheap.

My understanding is that when Canon does a service on a camera they also do a check and clean. Just had the little window replaced on the back of my 1D Mark IV in prep for sale, they checked and cleaned it as well.....